Sandvik knife steels: Swedish precision and quality

Sandvik knife steels: Swedish precision and quality

The Sandvik Group , a global leader in metals and materials technology, is known for its high-quality knife steels. Sandvik steels are valued for their exceptional precision, corrosion resistance and durability. These steels are especially popular with kitchen, outdoor and EDC knife manufacturers as they offer excellent performance at an affordable price.

The most famous Sandvik knife steels

Sandvik 12C27

  • Category: Stainless steel
  • Characteristics:
    12C27 is probably Sandvik's best-known knife steel and offers an excellent balance between hardness, toughness and corrosion resistance. Thanks to its fine microstructure, it is easy to grind and produces a razor-sharp edge.
  • Mission:
    Ideal for kitchen knives, pocket knives and outdoor knives.
  • Hardness: Typically 56-59 HRC.
  • Advantages: Excellent cutting performance, very rust resistant, easy to sharpen.
  • Comparison: Offers similar properties to 440A, but with better cutting performance and toughness.

Sandvik 14C28N

  • Category: Stainless steel with optimized nitrogen alloy
  • Characteristics:
    14C28N is an improved version of 12C27, developed in collaboration with knife manufacturers such as Kershaw. The addition of nitrogen increases corrosion resistance and edge stability without compromising toughness.
  • Mission:
    Perfect for EDC knives, hunting knives and kitchen knives.
  • Hardness: Typically 58-61 HRC.
  • Advantages: Excellent cutting ability, resistant to corrosion and chipping.
  • Comparison: Compared to VG10, 14C28N is less brittle and offers easier resharpening.

Sandvik 13C26

  • Category: Stainless steel for sharp edges
  • Characteristics:
    13C26 was originally developed for razor blades and offers an exceptionally fine cutting edge. The steel is less corrosion-resistant than 12C27 or 14C28N, but has excellent edge stability.
  • Mission:
    Ideal for knives where extreme sharpness is a priority, such as kitchen or hunting knives.
  • Hardness: Typically 58-61 HRC.
  • Advantages: Exceptional sharpness and edge retention.
  • Comparison: Similar to AEB-L, with slightly better edge stability.

General properties of Sandvik steels

  1. Fine microstructure:
    Sandvik steels are characterized by a uniform structure that is ideal for fine, sharp cutting edges.

  2. Excellent corrosion resistance:
    In particular, the stainless steel variants such as 12C27 and 14C28N offer excellent protection against rust and are therefore perfect for outdoor and kitchen applications.

  3. Easy resharpening:
    Sandvik steels can be quickly and easily brought to an extremely sharp blade, which makes them popular with knife users.

  4. Versatility:
    Sandvik steels are used in a wide range of applications, from razor blades to EDC knives to kitchen knives.

Comparison of Sandvik steels with other knife steels

  • 12C27 vs. 440C: 12C27 offers better toughness and is less brittle, while 440C has higher hardness.
  • 14C28N vs. VG10: 14C28N is tougher and easier to sharpen, while VG10 offers slightly higher edge retention.
  • 13C26 vs. AEB-L: Both are similar in composition, but 13C26 is less corrosion resistant.

areas of application

Thanks to their versatility and performance, Sandvik steels can be found in many types of knives:

  1. kitchen knives:
    12C27 and 14C28N are ideal for kitchen knives because they are corrosion resistant and easy to maintain.

  2. EDC knife:
    14C28N is a popular choice for pocket knives that require good edge retention and toughness.

  3. Outdoor and hunting knives:
    The hardness and edge stability of 14C28N and 13C26 make them ideal for demanding applications.

  4. razor blades:
    13C26 is the first choice due to its sharpness and fine grain.

Conclusion

Sandvik steels stand for quality, precision and durability. Whether you are a cook, outdoor enthusiast or pocket knife user, Sandvik offers the right steel for every application. 12C27 and 14C28N in particular have established themselves as reliable, high-performance materials that impress in practice.

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